He sings of a glorious spring. It is the most beautiful time of the year at my house when the dogwoods bloom.

There are thirty six dogwoods in my garden alone,

not to mention, my neighbors who have even more.

All around is new foliage as colorful as any flower.

With the curtains open, it flows even to the interior spaces.

In a few more days, azaleas and rhododendrons now peeking from their buds will climax the celebration with a vibrant crescendo.

The bluebirds are already feeding young. Their parental duties animate the west side of the house and a flock of American Goldfinches inhabit the back. In dramatic yellow and black newly molted adornment perched among the white dogwood blossoms beneath my bedroom window, goldfinches wait for a turn at the feeder. Nothing can upstage the flashing, sparkling Ruby-throated Hummingbird, however, dashing back and forth to sip nectar at his special place on the deck.

bluebird photos provided by FlashBlack

Understated among the leaves are the subtle beauty of this budded Trillium stamineum and other wildflowers like Iris cristata almost ready to join the springtime affair. I love flower names. They are music to my ears… Shooting Stars, Spring Beauty, Lily of the Valley, Columbine, May Apple, Wake Robin, Lady’s Slipper, and on and on.

As if in suspended animation, Clematis ‘Blue Light’ awaits a sunshine day when the air is warm and buzzing with honey bees to fully open its heart.

Sometimes buffeted by strong spring wind or sometimes shimmering in the gentle breeze, not only do the myriad of white blossoms light the day but they glow long into the evening light.

Life is good and April is beautiful in Tennessee. Sing on little bluebird. Sing.

Donna! 36 dogwoods on your property — how lucky you are! They’re stunning, and so many different colours. What a gorgeous yard you have. You’re so far ahead of us here, but we’re starting to look a little more like spring, day by day. 🙂